Continent Ileostomy

Continent ileostomy reservoir is today still an alternative to a standard (conventional) ileostomy in patients where ileal pouch–anal anastomosis is contraindicated or malfunctioning. It eliminates a protruding stoma, obviates the need for a stoma bag, and permits controlled evacuation of bowel contents. A well-functioning continent ileostomy also is entirely continent for gas and feces in the elderly. The reservoir is emptied three to five times a day. Obvious benefits are improved sexual life and facilitated leisure activities. The main drawbacks are frequent complications requiring reoperations in about 50% of the patients. Slippage of the nipple valve occurs in about one-third but in the majority of patients reoperations are successful in the long run. Other complications are pouchitis, enterocutaneous fistula, and stomal stricture. Modifications of the original Kock pouch have been developed as the Barnett pouch and the T-pouch to reduce complications associated with dysfunction of the nipple valve. Cancer of a continent ileostomy reservoir has been reported only in one patient and there seems to be no risk of high-grade dysplasia even after long-term follow-up. At present there are few indications for creating a continent ileostomy reservoir but it is still recommended in very select patients.